Page 42 of Prometheus' Priestess

“Yes.”

“Please, followme.”

Together they walked along delicately winding pebbled paths, either side encased by soft, moss-green grass that was littered with red and white anemone flowers. As they got closer to the entrance to Aphrodite’s rooms, rose bushes sprouted strong and proud from the soil, some of their flowers red, others white. All thriving. Aphrodite had always had a natural aptitude forvegetation.

At the large, stone-white doors with gilded gold trim, Dike knocked twice before they entered upon approval. Where Athena’s war rooms were sparse, Aphrodite’s rooms were filled with plushness. Red velvet chaises were artfully placed, with white column pillars beside them housing all manner of items: an intricately decorated vase detailing Aphrodite’s rise to fame and life itself, a bowl of grapes, a pure gold decanter.

The floor covering consisted of one large silk woven rug, made by Arachne if Athena wasn’t mistaken, the most talented spinner before she had challenged Athena to a duel. The poor girl had hung herself to avoid Athena’s fury, and so she had mercifully turned the girl into a spider − for such talent was too good to be gone from the world.

Like Athena’s war rooms, the windows were large enough that they gave a spectacular view of the gardens Athena had just come from, meaning her sister had watched her walk here. And waited. She was, however, not alone.

Opposite her, on a different chaise, was Dionysus. A goblet was raised to his mouth as he watched Athena assess him. Ifhe was waiting for shock to grace her face, her youngest half brother would be waiting a while. He raised the goblet in a half-hearted greeting.

Aphrodite, meanwhile, sat waiting for Athena to make formal introductions before she rose from her lounging position.

So, Athena reasoned,she is stillfurious.

“Sister,” she greeted her in a calm tone.

Aphrodite did indeed then rise and cross the space to place a cold kiss on either cheek.

“Athena, please sit. Dike − you may leave usnow.”

The door closed quietly. For several minutes, there was no sound beyond that of the birds frolicking in the garden. Eventually, having measured her words, Athena spoke.

“If I were to hazard a guess, I would say it is no coincidence that I find you and Dionysus in each other’scompany.”

The last time they had been seen together, there had been rumours he had fathered Priapus with Aphrodite, a claim neither of them would confirm nor deny. Athena wondered if he was just here out of coincidence or if Aphrodite had roped him in for some plot twist to her plan as she hadPrometheus.

“It appears you may have been right in your estimations of Artemis’ plan.”

“Oh?” Aphrodite cocked one perfectly manicured blonde eyebrow, but there was no surprise there, only vain delight.

Athena pursed her lips, her jaw aching under the pressure of clenched teeth. She despisedlosing.

“The fear took too great a hold. The ways −ourways − did not penetrate the priestess’ psyche. She has lost her alchemy somewhere in the recesses of her mind. I would say true love remains a last resort ... but I know your hand has been long involved, has itnot?”

Aphrodite giggled before plucking a plump grape and biting down on it delicately. She could make even that lookseductive.

“Oh come now, were you notimpressed?”

“Howdidyou manage to get Prometheus involved?” Athena scowled.

Aphrodite crossed to another table to retrieve two goblets and poured them both wine from the decanter to celebrate, now that cold formalities had been acknowledged. Usually the nymphs would assist in such matters, but nymphs had a terrible knack for gossip, more so than anyone else of Mount Olympus.

“Not intentionally,” Aphrodite scoffed, handing over a goblet and resuming her seat. “The fool would not hear me out. Luckily for me, the Moirai saw fit to find me favour, and Tyche helpedtoo.”

“Tyche?” Dionysus interrupted, a small furrow in that round baby face of his that made him look, still, like a petulant child despite his manyyears.

“My daughter and Prometheus have long since been friends. Did you notknow?”

“I didn’t suspect the fickle goddess to be quite so friendly with one as stubborn as Prometheus,” Dionysus quipped back.

“Careful,” Aphrodite tempered with a sharp glare. “That is mydaughter.”

Dionysus raised his goblet in mock salute, though Athena was sure Aphrodite missed the sarcastic smile behind it. “Of course, I am here to helpyou.”

“Where did the Moirai find in your favour?” she interrupted, for she was far more interestedin their play thanDionysus’.

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